Bloom. That’s the theme of SunServe’s fourth annual gala, taking place this Saturday at The Venue in Wilton Manors.

“[It’s] an ode to the magic of springtime,” said Tony Lima, SunServe’s CEO.

But don’t bother looking for tickets — the event has been sold out for months. Still, the work isn’t done. SunServe hopes to raise an additional $50,000 at the gala to support two key programs.

“We still need to raise the money to fully fund programs like SilverServe and a portion of the Youth and Family Center,” Lima said.

SunServe has already raised $439,736 for this year’s Florida AIDS Walk, making it the top fundraising organization. The walk offers a dollar-for-dollar match up to $400,000, a threshold they’ve already met. As of press time, Lima is also the top individual fundraiser — a title he held in 2023 and 2024. (Donations are still being accepted through March 31.)

“This is a real celebration of all the work [Tony Lima]’s accomplished… what he’s done… and brought [SunServe] back to where it needs to be,” said Dr. Susan Gritz, Director of Clinical Supervision. “He’s done an incredible job. He really has taken [SunServe] and it’s blossomed… just like the gala theme Bloom, right? It’s blossomed.”

A Mission Rooted in Mental Health

With seven departments, SunServe’s work is all tied to one core mission: mental health.

“To have quality mental health,” Lima explained, “you need housing. You need food. You need to not feel discriminated against. You need access to quality healthcare. So everything we do — throughout our departments — ultimately helps support mental health.”

Lima highlighted three key programs:

• Youth & Family Center – Provides counseling and support groups for LGBTQ youth and their families, plus housing for unhoused youth (18-24).
• SilverServe Program – Offers intensive case management for LGBTQ seniors, addressing housing, food security, and healthcare navigation.
• Housing Services – Assists more than 1,000 people annually with housing case management in South Florida.

Across all its departments, SunServe serves more than 4,000 people, ranging in age from 3 to 90-something.

Queer-Competent Mental Health Care

At SunServe, Gritz oversees student interns who are trained in queer competency, ensuring that the next generation of mental health professionals can confidently and competently serve LGBTQ clients.

“We’re making sure that the community gets competent therapists in the future,” Gritz said. “We give them queer competency so that they can feel confident in their clinical skills with the LGBTQ+ population.”

Queer competency isn’t just about clinical expertise — it’s also about respecting clients and understanding their unique experiences.

“A lot of it has to do with respecting clients [for instance] asking them their name,” she said. “I always say, ‘What would you like me to call you?” Gritz noted that for the transgender community, a person’s chosen name might not match what’s on their legal documents.

Corporate Pullback

As conservatives target Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, many corporations have quietly pulled back funding from LGBTQ organizations — including SunServe.

“We've had several corporate sponsors pull away from supporting our work,” Lima said. “None of them say it outright, but we received notices in January that they would no longer support us. It correlates with what's happening politically.”

That’s why his team has intensified fundraising efforts.

“Everyone is out there fundraising,” Lima said. “They’re passionate about the work they do.”

But it’s not just corporate support at risk — federal funding is also in jeopardy. Lima pointed out that SunServe’s housing program is funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), making future cuts a serious concern.

Lima said people depend on these life-saving services.

He’s grateful to the companies that remain steadfast in their support.

“There are heroes out there,” he said, citing the Miami Dolphins and JPMorgan Chase, who have continued their sponsorship.

Honoring Community Champions

This year’s gala will recognize three honorees for their contributions to the LGBTQ community:

• Scott Bennett (Board Chairperson, The Our Fund Foundation) – 2025 Dr. James Lopresti Visionary Award
• Hans Rood (CEO, Transcend Cruises) – 2025 Community Partner of the Year Award
• Nik Harris (VP of Strategic Outreach & Engagement, Human Rights Campaign) – 2025 Jason Jenkins Tomorrow’s Legacy Award
  

Wilton Manors City Commissioner Chris Caputo, who is also one of the gala chairs, can’t wait for the event.

“Tables for the SunServe Gala sell out a year in advance — and it’s no mystery why. The entertainment is always electric, the cocktails flow freely, the venue stuns, and the fashion? Next level,” he said. “Glamour meets giving at this unforgettable event, and this year, the support is more crucial than ever as SunServe works to fill funding gaps. With our 'Bloom' theme, I can't wait to see how our community shows up and shows out — we always find a way to outdo ourselves for this important cause.”

Visit here to donate to SunServe.

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